I’m a problem solver. When presented with a “problem” or unknown outcome, I research, develop skills, polish those skills and apply said skills till the outcome would reach the desired result. One of those consistently needed skills has been being able to read people. From observing simple body movements, choices in clothing/accessories, posture, even their rhythmic dictation, I could quickly study a person and know what they wanted. This skill has helped me in just about every job I’ve ever had. So much so that by age 25, I was the general manager and sommelier of a successful fine dinning restaurant. I enjoyed the work but grew increasing tired of the hours and the pay. It wasn’t what I wanted for my future so I left the industry to pursue other possible opportunities. 

I was working temp jobs in catering to pay the bills in-between gigs as a sit-in musician for musical groups through out New Orleans when a former coworker approached me about helping start a by-the-skater-for-the-skater nonprofit, the Big Easy Rollergirls. In the beginning, it was all fundraisers so I took a job as a field event supervisor for a local marketing agency to learn more about the industry first hand. I quickly learned the importance of good design and the roll it played in insuring a successful event. Knowing how to use good design and what elements were needed to market each event came natural to me but getting my hands on all the content I need was another story. 

To fill a need and to gain greater knowledge of the graphic design industry, I read books, attended conferences, sought instruction from peers and constantly worked though adobe tutorials. After a few months, I was hired to be the in-house graphic designer and part time sales rep for a HVAC/restaurant/galley supply company in Houma. This freed up more of my time to commit to marketing and promotions for BERG. 

Working as an in-house graphic designer exposed may of my weaknesses and lack of knowledge quickly. My employer was pleased with my work but I felt it not only missed the mark, it lacked efficiency. I felt I needed a more rigorous course of study. I moved back to working part time, transitioned my position with BERG over to new leadership and started studying art with a focus in graphic design at Nicholls State University. For such a small university, the Instructors, and course load is truly top notch. The graphic design classes were good but my editing eye, attention to fine detail, purpose driven composition, even typography were birthed in printmaking, drawing/painting, sculpture and photography. 

My entire approach to design is a full collaboration of years of study in multiple fields, skills developed in multiple mediums, and real life application throughout a multitude of industries.  The biggest takeaway I have from all of this, is that we should never assume to know the resolution to a “problem” without first beginning with extensive research which leads to inspiration then execution.